Trump agrees to meet with Kim Jong-un

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Donald Trump to meet him, an unprecedented overture which the US leader has said he will accept.

The shock announcement was made by senior South Korean officials in Washington, who passed on a letter from the North Korean leader.

They said Mr Kim had also agreed to halt nuclear and missile tests and was "committed to denuclearisation", BBC News reports.

It appears to be a major breakthrough after months of threats of violence.

However analysts warn that such summits are usually the result of years of careful diplomacy so remain sceptical about what these rapidly arranged talks can achieve.

Mr Trump said the development was "great progress" but that sanctions will remain in place until a firm agreement is reached.

North Korea has not yet issued any official comment on the week's developments.

South Korean National security adviser Chung Eui-yong, speaking outside the White House after the meeting, said: "I told President Trump that at our meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he's committed to denuclearisation."

He added: "President Trump appreciated the briefing, and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearisation."